The origin of the honest trees of the life-giving cross. Origin (wear) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, granting victories against resistance and Thy preservation By giving life to Your Cross. (Troparion, tone 1)
Having ascended to the Cross by will, grant to your new residence your namesake of your bounty, O Christ God, make us glad with your power, giving us victories as adversaries, aid to those who have your weapon of peace, an invincible victory (Kontakion, tone 4)
Thy cross, O Lord, sanctify, for in it there are healings for the weak in sin, for whose sake we fall down. Ty, have mercy on us (Sedalen, voice 6)
The Feast of the Origin (or Destruction) of the venerable trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord was established in Constantinople. In the Greek Book of Hours, the tradition of bringing out part of the Cross of the Lord is explained as follows: “Due to illnesses that occurred very often in August, the custom of bringing the Venerable Tree of the Cross to roads and streets has long been established in Constantinople to sanctify places and ward off illnesses. The day before, July 31, having worn it out of the royal treasury, they relied on St. meal of the Great Church (Sofia). From this day onwards, until the Dormition of the Mother of God, litias were celebrated throughout the city and the cross was offered to the people for worship. This is the origin (προοδοσ) of the Honorable Cross.” 
The word “origin” itself (and in the exact translation “pre-origin”) means “carrying in front”, “procession with a cross” or “religious procession”. To be healed from illnesses, people venerated the Cross and drank the water consecrated by it.
There is another reason for establishing the holiday. In 1164, the Greek king Manuel spoke out against the Saracens, and on the same day the Russian prince Andrei Bogolyubsky spoke out against the Bulgarians. On the campaign, the prince took the Holy Cross of the Lord and the icon of the Mother of God, which the priests carried in front of the army, performing prayer services and sprinkling the soldiers with blessed water.
The Lord granted victory to the Greek king and the Russian prince. Both, armed with the shield of faith, and not just spears and swords, in addition to victory, received another sign of God’s blessing: from the icon of the Mother of God with the Child Christ, light poured out in the form of a radiant radiance that fell on his entire army. King Manuel and his army observed a similar phenomenon from the icon of the Mother of God. The prince and the king learned about the wonderful grace of the Lord, simultaneously poured out on both. After consultation with the bishops, it was decided to establish a celebration of the Lord and His Most Pure Mother on August 1st.
The holiday is dedicated to the Cross, the Savior's feat of the Cross. Hence the name - Spas. It is called the First Savior, since it is the first among the holidays dedicated to the Savior close in time. It is followed by the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Feast of the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands.
According to custom, in addition to the blessing of water in churches, the blessing of honey takes place. Believers bring honey as a sign that the first harvest is for God. By blessing the honey of the first harvest, people received a blessing for the entire harvest. According to tradition, part of the honey remained in the church, and part was given to the poor. There is even an expression: “On the First Savior, even a beggar will try honey!” Hence the name of the First Savior - “honey”.
Orthodox Christians celebrate the Origin of the Venerable Trees of the Holy Cross on August 14 (according to the old style - August 1). After Jesus Christ was crucified, the Cross was sanctified by the suffering of the Son of God and acquired extraordinary power. The holiday was first celebrated in Constantinople in the 9th century. By the 13th century, it was already celebrated by all countries that had adopted Christianity. The Greek Book of Hours explains the reason why the Feast of the Life-Giving Cross is celebrated - many illnesses that beset people forced them to go out into the street, carrying the Cross in front of them, which helped them to heal. In Russian, the word “wear and tear” is interpreted as origin, which is not entirely correct. Its exact translation is predescent - bearing the Cross. An even more accurate translation and meaning of this word is Procession of the Cross. Due to an incorrect translation, “wearing out” was added to the name of the holiday in Rus'.
History and traditions of the Orthodox holiday
According to tradition, on the holiday they carried the Cross, which became the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, to the Church of St. Sophia, after which the water was blessed. For two weeks after this ceremony, it was carried within the city, prayers were read, and services were held. All these rituals were dedicated to ridding people of diseases. Everyone who touched him got rid of diseases. On August 27 (according to the new style - August 14) the Life-giving Tree of the Cross was returned to the royal treasuries.
For the Russian Church, the holiday coincides with the main celebration of the Orthodox Slavs - the Baptism of Rus'. Chronicles from the 16th century contain information about this event. According to the custom revered in Constantinople, on the first day of each month (the only exceptions were January and September) the rite of consecration of water was carried out. The emperor and archdeacon were always present. One of the stages of the consecration of water was the application of the monarch to the Life-Giving Cross. There is an opinion that it was this custom that served as the basis for choosing the date of the Baptism of Rus'.
On this holiday, it is customary to worship the Life-Giving Cross and bless water in the temple at the end or before the liturgy.
For the Slavs, August 14 is a day filled with holidays and significant dates along with the Origin (destruction) of the venerable trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord - the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the beginning of the Dormition Fast, the Honey Savior. Each of these events has its own traditions and customs, which are closely intertwined on this day. For example, honey is blessed along with water in churches, and people organize festivities dedicated to the Savior.
Rus' became acquainted with this holiday together with the Jerusalem Charter, which happened in the 14th century. Since the 17th century, it has been celebrated along with Epiphany. On the eve of this day, the ruler visited the Simonov Monastery, serving Vespers and Matins there. Then the monarch and the Patriarch plunged into the waters of the Moscow River, as if into the waters of the Jordan, after which they performed the rite of blessing the water in reservoirs and held religious processions. The first to be dipped into the water is the Cross, which the ruler kissed after bathing. At the end of the ceremony, the Patriarch gave the king a blessing. Everyone could take holy water, which they sprinkled on their homes, drank if the disease overcame them, and kept it at home. It was believed that by bathing in a pond on the Feast of the Life-Creating Cross, one could get rid of sin. People tried to bathe their livestock in ponds to protect them from diseases. In some villages, residents brought horses to rivers or lakes, where they were sprinkled with holy water so that they would not be overtaken by illness or death. The animals were lined up in several rows through which people passed with the procession of the Cross.
What is customary to do on this Orthodox holiday?
On this day you need to do good to other people, be merciful.
Service in the church to celebrate the Origin (destruction) of the venerable trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord
On the eve of the holiday, a Forefeast is held, lasting one day. It takes place in prayers, church chants, and preparation for the holiday.
On the day of the celebration, a Cross is displayed in the church, which the parishioners worship. It is removed before the evening service on the Saturday following the holiday.
The honors of the Mother of God and the Savior celebrated in Rus' on this day were dedicated to a historical event. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, when setting off on a campaign against the Bulgars - pagans who regularly raided Rus' (this was in 1164) - took with him the image of the Mother of God with the Child in her arms and the Cross leading the army. As a result of the battles, the prince won, taking Bryakhimov. Andrei Bogolyubsky believed that it was the icon and the Cross that helped him defeat the enemy.
Prayer to the Honest Life-Giving Cross
Before all the battles, Andrei Bogolyubsky read prayers together with his soldiers in front of the Cross and the image of the Virgin Mary:
prayer May God rise again:
May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may all who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke disappears, let them disappear; just as wax melts in the presence of fire, so let demons perish from the face of those who love God and signify themselves with the sign of the cross, and who say in joy: Rejoice, Most Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, drive away the demons with the power of our drunken Lord Jesus Christ on you, who descended into hell and trampled upon the power the devil, and who gave us His Honest Cross to drive away every adversary. O Most Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord! Help me with the Holy Virgin Mary and with all the saints forever. Amen
After reading the prayer, everyone kissed the image, and full of strength they went into battle.
This was the case on the day when the prince and his army set out on a campaign against the Bulgars. Returning from the battle, they saw a wondrous picture - the image of the Mother of God emitted a bright light, illuminating everything around. The prince perceived this event as a sign of the Lord’s help, and decided to go into battle again, during which he captured several enemy cities, imposing tribute on them. At the same time, lands near the Volga River were captured, which since then belonged to Rus'. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky said that his main weapons were not swords or arrows, but the Life-Giving Cross and the image of the Mother of God. This historical event took place on August 1 (according to the new style - August 14).
On the same day, a similar event happened to the Emperor of Greece Manuel. Having gone into battle against the Saracens, Manuel and his army saw a golden bright light spill from the icon, and they emerged from the battle victorious.
The Greek and Russian rulers were friendly. Soon Manuel learned about the miracle that happened to the Russian prince and his army, and Andrei Bogolyubsky learned about the event that happened to the Greek emperor and his soldiers, and that it happened at the same time. After consulting with church officials, the rulers decided that this day - August 1 - would be celebrated as the day of Adoration of the Mother of God and the Savior as a sign of gratitude to the Lord for His help and protection.
What do they do on the day of the deterioration of honest trees?
According to the will of the Moscow Patriarch, on the Feast of the Origin (destruction) of the venerable trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, people take to the streets of cities and settlements with a procession of the Cross. On the morning of the holiday, people have long gone to church, prayed and received communion, preparing at the same time for the Dormition Fast, which cleanses the body and soul. At the end of the lunch service and the ceremony of consecration of water, the consecration of honey from the new harvest was carried out, part of which the parishioners left in the church.
During the times of Rus', the celebration was magnificent and solemn. After the consecration of the Cross in reservoirs, people held mass celebrations, sang songs of praise, and prayed. On this day, it is customary to begin any task with a prayer, in which they ask whether this task can be done, ask for God’s blessing on it, and any accomplishment ends with words of gratitude.
The origin (wearing out) of the honorable trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord is a holiday when every Orthodox Christian asks the Lord for protection from enemies, for health and thanks for his help.
Church ministers consider it no coincidence that the Honey Savior, honoring the memory of the Maccabee brothers who suffered martyrdom, and the Feast of the Life-Giving Cross coincide on the same day. The Maccabee brothers were tormented for their faith, showing gratitude to Jesus Christ for the atonement of human sins. The honey that the Lord gives is a symbol of the sweetness that He gives to people, granting eternal life. Working as bees work, and being faithful to God, a person receives benefits through patience and humility.
Read about other Orthodox holidays.
On August 1/14, the first day of the Dormition Lent, the Church celebrates the Origin (destruction) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. According to the Charter, it refers to small holidays “with glorification,” but has one day of pre-celebration.
Word "origin", or more accurately translated from Greek, then "pre-origin", i.e. "carrying in front", implies a procession (religious procession) taking place on this day with part of the original Tree of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Every year on the first day of August, part of the Life-Giving Cross, which was kept in the home church of the Greek emperors, was brought to the Church of Hagia Sophia and the water was blessed to heal diseases. People venerated the Cross on which Christ was crucified, drank the water consecrated by Him and received long-awaited health.
Already in the Ritual of Emperor Constantine the Porphyrogenitus (912-959) there are detailed rules for removing the Honest Tree from the reliquary, which is performed before August 1. An 1897 Greek book of hours explains this tradition as follows: “Due to illnesses that occurred very often in August, the custom has long been established in Constantinople to bring the Venerable Tree of the Cross onto the roads and streets to consecrate places and ward off illnesses.” This is it "pre-origin" Holy Cross. Therefore, the word was added to the name of the holiday "wear and tear".
The holiday was established in the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople, in the 9th century, and in the 12th-13th centuries it was established in all Orthodox churches. In Rus', this holiday appeared with the spread of the Jerusalem Charter at the end of the 14th century.
On August 1, the Russian Orthodox Church also celebrates Feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Blessed Virgin Mary in memory of the signs from the honorable icons of the Savior, the Most Holy Theotokos and the Honorable Cross during the battles of the Greek king Manuel (1143-1180) with the Saracens and the holy noble prince Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157-1174) with the Volga Bulgarians in 1164.
In 1164 Andrei Bogolyubsky(son of Grand Duke Yuri Vladimirovich and grandson of the glorious Vladimir Monomakh) undertook a campaign against the Volga Bulgarians, who were crowding out the oppressed inhabitants of Rostov and Suzdal lands(Bulgars, or Bulgars, were the pagans who lived on the lower reaches of the Volga) . The prince took with him on a campaign against the Volga Bulgars a miraculous icon, which he brought from Kyiv and subsequently received the name Vladimir, and the Honorable Cross of Christ. Before the battle, the pious prince, having received the Holy Mysteries, turned with fervent prayer to the Mother of God, asking for the protection and patronage of the Lady: “Everyone who trusts in You, O Lady, will not perish, and I, a sinner, have in You a wall and a covering.” Following the prince, the generals and soldiers fell to their knees in front of the icon and, venerating the image, went against the enemy.Having entered the field, the Russian army put the Bulgarians to flight and, pursuing them, captured five cities, including the city of Bryakhimov on the Kama River. When they returned to their camp after the battle, they saw that from the icon of the Mother of God with the Child Christ emanating bright rays, similar to fire, illuminating the entire army. The wondrous sight aroused the spirit of courage and hope in the Grand Duke even more, and he again, turning his regiments in pursuit of the Bulgarians, pursued the enemy and burned most of their cities, placing tribute on the survivors.
According to legend, on the same day, thanks to help from above, the Greek Emperor Manuel also won a victory over the Saracens (Muslims). An indisputable proof of the miraculousness of both of these victories were the huge fiery rays emanating from the icons of the Savior, the Mother of God and the Holy Cross that were in the army. These rays covered the regiments of the noble rulers of Greece and Russia and were visible to all those who fought. In memory of these wonderful victories, with the mutual consent of Prince Andrew and Emperor Manuel and with the blessing of representatives of the highest church authorities, it was established Feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Blessed Virgin Mary .
On this holiday, churches are supposed to take out the Cross and worship it. In the Russian Church, simultaneously with the celebration of the All-Merciful Savior, remembrance of the Baptism of Rus' that took place on August 1, 988 , in remembrance of what it was established to do on this day small blessing of water According to the rite now accepted in the Russian Church, the small consecration of water on August 14, according to the new style, is performed before or after the liturgy. According to tradition, together with the consecration of water, the consecration of honey is performed. Therefore, the people called the holiday "Honey Spas"
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Finally, the third holiday of the day - memory of the holy Old Testament Martyrs of the Maccabees who, by the power of faith, overcame the temptation of apostasy and, having endured short-term torment, were honored with salvation and eternal blissful life in the Kingdom of God.
The seven holy Maccabean martyrs: Abim, Antoninus, Gurias, Eleazar, Eusevo, Adim and Marcellus, as well as their mother Solomonia and teacher Eleazar, suffered in 166 BC. e. from the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus Epiphanes, pursuing a policy of Hellenization of the population, introduced Greek pagan customs in Jerusalem and all of Judea. He desecrated the Temple of Jerusalem by placing in it a statue of Olympian Zeus, to whose worship he forced the Jews.
The 90-year-old elder, the teacher of the law Eleazar, who was judged for his adherence to the Mosaic Law, with firmness went to torture and died in Jerusalem. The same courage was shown by the disciples of Saint Eleazar: the seven Maccabee brothers and their mother Solomonia. They, fearlessly recognizing themselves as followers of the True God, refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods.
The eldest of the boys, who was the first to give an answer to the king on behalf of all seven brothers, was given over to terrible torture in front of the other brothers and their mother; the other five brothers, one after another, suffered the same torment. There is a seventh brother left, the youngest. Antiochus proposed to Saint Solomonia to persuade him to renounce, so that she could have at least his last son, but the courageous mother strengthened him in the confession of the True God. The boy endured the torment just as firmly as his older brothers.
After the death of all the children, Saint Solomonia, standing over their bodies, raised her hands with a grateful prayer to God and died.
The feat of the holy seven Maccabean brothers inspired the priest Mattathias and his sons, who rebelled against Antiochus Epiphanes, which lasted from 166 to 160 BC. and, having won the victory, they cleansed the Jerusalem temple of idols.
The history of the Holy Cross, which is one of the main Christian relics, dates back to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Lord's Cross to this day gives believers miracles of salvation and healing.
Origin of the life-giving tree
The history of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord is based on legends about the life-giving tree on which Jesus was crucified, but which still gives miracles of healing and liberation.
The Bible does not answer the question of what kind of wood was used to make the instrument of death on which Christ was crucified. In the Gospels it is already being prepared as an instrument of crucifixion.
Apocryphal sources store a lot of interesting reliable data about the origin of the legendary tree.
According to the legend of the Bogomils, a Christian movement of the 5th century that came from Bulgaria, the tree of paradise of good and evil fell into three parts during the expulsion of Adam and Eve. The central part remained in the Garden of Eden, and subsequently the Cross was made from it for the crucifixion of Christ.
According to the Golden Legend, Adam's son Seth went to the gates of the Garden of Eden with a request to give him oil to anoint his dying father. Archangel Michael refused him, saying that this oil was closed for 5.5 thousand years before the time of the birth of Jesus, but presented Seth with a branch from the tree of good and evil. Seth did not find his father alive; a wreath was woven from a branch of the legendary tree and placed on Adam’s head during burial.
Death of Adam, artist - Pierro Dela Francesca
From this branch subsequently grew a tree, cut down by the servants of King Solomon to build the temple in Jerusalem. Due to the discrepancy in size, it was used as a support for a bridge.
The Queen of Sheba, who had the gift of prophecy when visiting King Solomon, stopped near the bridge and knelt in front of the historical tree. According to her, this tree is destined to become an instrument of death for the Savior of the world, after which the Jews will face ruin.
King Solomon knew the Queen of Sheba and her gift of vision well. The prediction seriously frightened him. By order of the king, the tree was dismantled from the bridge and buried.
The wood of this timber was subsequently used to build a pool in Bethesda, whose water attracted the crippled with its healing qualities.
When Jesus was arrested, this tree emerged from the foot of the pool, a cypress from which the trunk of the Life-Giving Shrine was made, the crossbars were made of pine and cedar.
Important! The history of the life-giving Cross of the Lord formed the basis of the Feast of the First Savior, which is celebrated on August 14. It is popularly known as Honey Spas.
Legends about the discovery of a life-giving shrine
Slavic and Greek legends tell of a Cross that has eight ends and is made of three parts. These legends are based on the words of the prophet Isaiah, where he names three types of wood that will bring glory to the foot.
Cypress served as the material for the pillar. For the crossbar, to which the Holy hands of the Son of God were nailed, they used pine or pine, in a different way. The lower part of the instrument of death was made of cedar, and the feet of the Innocent Lamb were nailed to it.
After the death of Jesus, Equal-to-the-Apostles Empress Helena gave orders to find the location of the shrine.
Isaiah 60:13 “The glory of Lebanon will come to you, cypress and tree and cedar together, to adorn the place of My sanctuary, and I will glorify My footstool.”
Icon “The Finding of the Cross”
The Jews hid the holy burial place of the cross of Jesus from Christians until one of them, Judas, was tortured by order of Helen. (The story goes that he was subsequently baptized and ordained as a bishop in Jerusalem).
The Jewish prophet Judas was a descendant of the first martyr Stephen, who died under Christ. The prophet's father knew about the place where the three crucifixion instruments were buried, but strictly kept this secret. According to legend, the discovery of a Christian relic will be the beginning of the end of the supremacy of the Jewish religion over all others.
About other holidays of the Lord:
Judas was thrown into a dry well, where he was supposed to die from exhaustion until he indicated the burial place of the shrine. After seven days of prayers and appeals to God, the prophet was given a sign.
For reference! Information about the person who found the burial place of the relic has the meaning of legend. Some sources indicate the name of Christian Ablavius.
The place indicated by the prophet gave off a light steam filled with a sweet aroma. Elena ordered excavations at the site of Christ's execution, where the honest tree was discovered.
How the authenticity of the weapon of Christ's crucifixion was determined
During excavations of the holy place, three crosses were found. It was not possible to determine which of them belonged to Christ. According to one legend, the faith of Jerusalem Bishop Macarius helped, who appealed to God and asked for help.
The sign came in answer to prayer. God showed Macarius that a woman was dying in their country, suffering for a long time from an incurable disease. She will recover from the touch of the life-giving shrine. The trees on which the robbers were crucified did not produce any result, but from the precious shrine the dying woman sighed and immediately recovered.
All over the world there are several versions of the acquisition of a Christian relic. Each of them has its own adherents.
By order of Helen, allegedly given to her by an angel, the Life-Giving Cross was distributed in parts to different parts of the earth.
Perhaps these are legends, but the Life-Giving Cross and even its parts still exist today and give believers in this shrine more and more miracles and answers to prayers.
Rewards from Jerusalem with pieces from the Life-Giving Tree are the most valuable.
Other versions of the origin of the honorable trees of the Holy Cross (Honey Savior)
According to history, the Honey Savior is celebrated as a memory of two events that occurred simultaneously in Rus' under Prince Bogolyubsky and during the Byzantine campaign of Emperor Manuel. The first of them fought with the Volga Bulgars, and the Byzantines fought with the Turks.
In both cases, the enemy's strength far exceeded the defenders of their land. Under the cover of the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God, both Christian troops raised a fervent prayer to Heaven - a petition for the granting of victory. God heard the cries of believing people and rewarded them according to their faith. In the sky above both armies stood the life-giving tree of the Cross of the Lord as a Divine weapon against enemies.
Important! On this day the Dormition Fast begins, so there is a strict restriction on food, entertainment and amusements. On August 14, it is customary to go to church and bless honey and poppy seeds.
Holy gift in Godenovo - outback of Russia
The transformation of pagan Rus' into one of the centers of Orthodoxy is the great mercy of the Lord and His wonderful providence.
The historical events of 1423 in the Rostov swamps, near the Nikolsky churchyard, changed the life of the entire region. The origin of the Life-Giving Cross in Godenovo is described by the historical memories of the shepherds who were the first to see the sign in the sky.
While the shepherds were grazing their cattle, the sky from the eastern side was illuminated with an indescribable light. The unearthly beauty of the radiance fascinated the shepherds. They went to the place of the glow and saw an inexplicable phenomenon - the Honest Cross, Jesus crucified on It, and at the foot of it was Saint Nicholas, holding the Holy Gospel in his hands.
A voice from Heaven said that this place had been chosen for the grace of God. The shepherds were given instructions to tell about this event throughout the world, with instructions to build a temple of God here, so that everyone who comes with prayer to the Miraculous Crucifixion would receive healing and liberation.
Miracles began from the first day of construction of the church, which received the blessing of Archbishop Dionysius.
Read about miracles in Orthodoxy:
The builders considered that it was impossible to build a temple in the middle of a swamp, and decided to lay the foundation a little to the side, on dry land.
The next morning caused exclamations of admiration and surprise; the construction that had begun was transferred to the swamp expanses, where a miraculous sign was revealed. A night later, dry land formed in this place, and a river appeared near it.
All participants in the construction of the temple received healings:
- the lame began to walk;
- the blind see;
- the patients recovered.
Lists of people who received the grace of healing from the Life-Giving Cross were kept with special reverence, but they all burned down during the fires, and God’s creation remained unharmed.
Interesting. When atheists came to power, it was decided to destroy the temple and burn the crucifix. Only the Lord did not allow the monsters to cut or break the miraculous creation, which in 1933 was transferred to the village of Godenovo, where the Chrysostom Church was located.
To this day, the people's path to the shrine, which has miraculous powers, is not overgrown.
Modern miracles and healings in Godenovo
Intensified prayer at the Life-Giving Cross in Godenovo can do a lot.
Prayer to the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
Before the wondrous miraculous power, the Four-pointed and Tripartite Cross of Christ, spread out in the dust at your foot, I bow to you, the Honest Tree, which drives away all demonic shooting from me and frees me from all troubles, sorrows and misfortunes. You are the Tree of Life. You are the purification of the air, the illumination of the holy temple, the fencing of my home, the guarding of my bed, the enlightenment of my mind, heart and all my feelings. Your holy sign has protected me from the day of my birth, enlightened me from the day of my baptism; it is with me and on me all the days of my life: both on dry land and on the waters. It will accompany me to the grave, and will overshadow my ashes. It, the holy sign of the miraculous Cross of the Lord, will announce to the whole universe about the hour of the general resurrection of the dead and the last Terrible and Righteous Judgment of God. About the All-Honorable Cross! With your overshadowing, enlighten, teach and bless me, unworthy, always undoubtedly believing in Your invincible Power, protect me from every adversary and heal all my mental and physical ailments. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, by the power of Your Honest and Life-giving Cross, have mercy and save me, a sinner, from now and forever. Amen.
Miracles and healings that occur from touching a holy relic, the like of which is not found in all of Russia (according to the testimony of specialists from the Russian Museum), are included in special lists.
The miraculous shrine has a wonderful property - when they want to harm it, destroy it or take it out of the temple, the statue seems to be filled with weight, so much so that no force can move it. And they chopped it with axes, sawed it with saws, stabbed it, burned it. It's all in vain. Wood transforms in strength into an unknown metal that cannot be processed.
Life-giving Cross (Godenovo)
On the other hand, two little nuns can easily move the Shrine from place to place if necessary.
To dissuade pilgrims from kissing the foot of the crucifix, atheists smeared the holy tree with machine oil, but suffered a disaster. The holy crucifix began to emit the smell of incense, a myrrh aroma.
Many healings still occur before the eyes of the nuns:
- cancerous tumors;
- kidney diseases;
- toothache;
- instant healing of wounds.
How to get to the shrine
Pilgrimage services will help you visit the Life-Giving Cross in Godenovo and get from Moscow to the place of worship.
You can get to Godenovo from Moscow in a few hours, by train or bus to Petrovsk, then you should transfer to a local bus, which runs on schedule.
By car you should drive 180 kilometers from Moscow to Petrovsk, there turn right following the sign indicating the path to the Zlatoust Church.
Passing the village of Demyanskoye, you should turn left, towards Priozernoye. After this village, turn towards Godenovo, the road itself will lead to the Monastery of the Descent of the Cross. From Petrovsk to Godenovo it is only 15 km.
Advice! When planning a pilgrimage trip, you should take into account that the road to Petrovsk is asphalted, and longer is a dirt road; on particularly inclement days, getting to the temple is not easy.
On August 14, the first day of the Dormition Fast, the Origin (wear and tear) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord is celebrated.
This holiday was established in Constantinople due to illnesses that often occurred there in August. The beginning of this holiday dates back to the 9th century, and from the 12th-13th centuries it was established in all local Churches. In Constantinople there was a custom according to which every year a part of the Life-Giving Tree of the Holy Cross, kept in the home church of the Byzantine emperors, was worn into the church of St. Sofia, where the blessing of water took place. Then, starting from the first of August, this shrine was carried around the city for two weeks, while lithiums were served “to consecrate places and ward off diseases.” On August 28, the Life-Giving Tree of the Cross was transferred back to the royal chambers.
The Russian name for the holiday "origin" is an incorrect translation of the Greek word, which means a solemn ceremony, a religious procession. Therefore, the word “wear and tear” was added to the name of the holiday.
In the Russian Church, this celebration was combined with the memory of the Baptism of Rus' on August 14, 988. In the “Tale of the Effective Rites of the Holy Conciliar and Apostolic Great Church of the Assumption,” compiled in 1627 at the behest of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Philaret, the following explanation of the holiday on August 14 is given: “And on the day of the Holy Cross there is a process of consecration for the sake of water and enlightenment for the sake of human, in all cities and villages."
The news of the day of the Baptism of Rus' was preserved in chronographs of the 16th century: “The Great Prince Vladimir of Kiev and all Rus' was baptized on August 14.” On this holiday, churches are supposed to take out the Cross and worship it. According to the rite now accepted in the Russian Church, the minor consecration of water on August 14 is performed before or after the liturgy.
Together with the consecration of water, the consecration of honey is performed (that is why this holiday is popularly called “The First Honey Savior”, “Savior on the Water”, “Wet Savior”).
From this day forward, the eating of its new harvest is blessed.
The Feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on the same day, was established on the occasion of signs from the icons of the Savior, the Most Holy Theotokos and the Precious Cross during the battles of the holy noble prince Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157-1174) with the Volga Bulgarians. In 1164, Andrei Bogolyubsky launched a campaign against the Volga Bulgarians, who were pushing out the oppressed inhabitants of the Rostov and Suzdal lands. Trusting in the help of the Queen of Heaven, the prince took with him Her miraculous icon, which he brought from Kyiv and subsequently received the name Vladimir. Two priests in vestments carried the holy icon and the Honorable Cross of Christ before the army. Before the battle, the pious prince, having partaken of the Holy Mysteries, turned with a fervent prayer to the Mother of God: “Everyone who trusts in You, Lady, will not perish, and I, a sinner, have in You a wall and a covering.” Following the prince, the generals and soldiers fell to their knees in front of the icon and, venerating the image, went against the enemy.
The Bulgarians were defeated and put to flight. According to legend, on the same day the Greek Emperor Manuel won a victory over the Saracens. An indisputable proof of the miraculousness of both of these victories were the huge fiery rays emanating from the icons of the Savior, the Mother of God and the Holy Cross that were in the army. These rays covered the regiments of the noble rulers of Greece and Russia and were visible to all those who fought. In memory of these wonderful victories, with the mutual consent of Prince Andrew and Emperor Manuel and with the blessing of representatives of the highest church authorities, a holiday was established to the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos.
Sermon on the removal of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
“The cross is the guardian of the entire universe, the cross is the beauty of the Church, the cross is the affirmation of the faithful, the cross is the glory of angels and the plague of demons.”
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Church glorifies the power of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, and at the same time remembers the honest suffering that our Lord Jesus Christ endured on the Cross. The closest reason for the event now being celebrated was the miraculous signs revealed from the Tree of the Life-Giving Cross to the inhabitants of Constantinople.
In ancient times, a severe pestilence broke out in the capital of the Greek state, Constantinople, which claimed many human lives. After, at the request of the residents of the city, the Tree of the Holy Cross was carried through the streets of the capital for fifteen days with prayers and sprinkling of buildings and houses with holy water, the destructive disease stopped, and all Christians brought their deepest gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Subsequently, this miracle was also joined by another significant event, namely: the Orthodox Greek Emperor Manuel, with the presentation of the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God to the troops, won victory over the Saracens, and the Orthodox Russian prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, at the same time, with the presentation of the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God, won the victory over the Volga Bulgarians. Evidence that these victories were won by supernatural power was the heavenly radiance emanating from the icons and illuminating the people who were there. In memory of this wonderful event, the Orthodox Greek and Russian Churches established that the celebration of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos should be added to the holiday of the carrying of the Cross - in remembrance of the heavenly mercies bestowed on both Orthodox countries.
But, while now glorifying the power of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, the Church at the same time remembers the suffering of Christ suffered by Him on the Cross. The Gospel set for today sets out the story of the last hours and minutes of the earthly life of the Son of God. He, the sinless One, the Holiest of Holies, having assumed the form of a slave, humiliated and insulted by the crowd of furious enemies rustling around Him, marches to judgment before Pilate, a pagan, a sinner. The scribes, elders and all the people with incomprehensible hatred demand from the ruler death for the Immortal, a shameful death: Crucify, crucify Him (John 19:6)! - they shout.
Pilate, a pagan who did not know the revealed teaching of God, moved by a sense of justice, hesitates and wants to save Him, saying to the Jews: Capture Him and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him (John 19:6). But their threat to accuse him before Caesar forces Pilate to betray the Lord into the hands of His enemies. And after many new humiliations and insults, the innocent Sufferer, acquitted at Pilate’s trial, ascends to Golgotha, here he is nailed to the Cross and gives up His spirit, hanging in the middle of two robbers on a tree. What humiliation, what a terrible death the Lord suffered at this time! And the question arises: why was such a terrible sacrifice required?
The same ulcer was for our sins and tormented for our iniquities, by His ulcer we were healed (Is. 53:5), answers the holy prophet Isaiah. The entire human race was in sin. By the time of the Savior's coming, people had forgotten God; Even those Jews who were entrusted with the custody of the revealed teachings forgot His Divine Law and the Prophets. Everyone sinned, everyone transgressed the commandments of God, and therefore everyone angered God and deserved eternal damnation and death. God is all-good and all-merciful, but He is also infinitely righteous. Divine truth was outraged by human untruth and human sins. It was necessary to satisfy this holy Truth. Of the people infected with sin, no one could undertake the feat of redemption of the human race, because the sins were extremely great, and according to the gravity of the sins, the sacrifice had to be the greatest. And it was this highest and holiest sacrifice that the Son of God became. For God loved the world, for He gave His only begotten Son to eat, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but may have eternal life (John 3:16). By the death of the Savior on the cross we are redeemed from sin, curse and death. The blood of the Innocent One was shed on the Cross so that the guilty could escape the wrath of God they deserved: by His wound we were healed. So, Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3). What goodness and what inexpressible mercy of God towards us sinners!
Nailed on the Cross and shedding His most pure Blood, He became the eternal Intercessor for us before God the Father. His ulcerated hands lovingly embrace the entire human race and lead everyone to the Father. That which separated the Creator from creation, God from people, the Heavenly Father from the rebellious sons of men was destroyed by the Sacrifice of Calvary. The sting of death has been dulled, the gates of hell have been crushed, the power of the devil has been destroyed, freedom has been granted to faithful people and the gates of heaven have been opened, so that the Cross, the instrument of shameful death, has now become for all believers a precious and highest shrine, an indestructible weapon in the fight against the enemies of our salvation.
Erected on Golgotha, it shines brightly over the entire universe, warming with its rays our immortal souls, cold from sins and sorrows. Come all of you to this Cross, look at it and find true peace. Just as Moses of old raised a copper serpent in the desert and everyone who looked at him received healing from the bite of the snake and life, so the Cross of Christ, erected on Calvary, gives healing and peace to all our souls wounded by sins: Just as Moses lifted up the serpent to desert, so it is fitting for the Son of Man to be exalted, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but may have eternal life (John 3:14-15). Such is the ineffable mercy of God towards us sinners that at the mere thought of everything that Divine love has done for us, the unspoiled human heart must involuntarily be filled with the greatest gratitude to the Creator.
While we now honor the Holy Cross, let us, however, remember that our admiration before the Cross of the Lord should not consist only in external actions and words, but must also take place in the depths of our soul, our spirit. First of all, we need to realize that the One Crucified on the Cross is the God-Man, the Creator of the entire universe, and therefore a feeling of fear and trembling should cover our soul when we kiss the Holy Cross.
Crucified on the Cross for the sake of our sins, the Lord wanted us, cleansed from sins by His Blood, to live for righteousness and be holy in all our lives, and for this we would be worthy of eternal bliss in the Kingdom of His Father. And therefore, if we sin, we will undergo terrible punishment not only for our sins, but also for the Blood of the Son of God, which we trample, and for the grace with which we were sanctified in the Sacrament of Baptism and which we neglected. With our sins, are we not crucifying the Lord a second time? Let us guard ourselves in every possible way from sins and vices and remain faithful to the Lord, remembering that firm faith attracts to us the favor and mercy of God.
The Church represents for us today the bright memory of the holy Maccabee martyrs, who lived one and a half centuries before the birth of Christ, as an example of a steadfast confession of the faith of God. This was a difficult time for the Jewish people, when the wicked Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes, having plundered Jerusalem and beaten many thousands of Jews, launched an evil persecution against their faith, wanting to eradicate it completely. To this end, he commanded the Jews, under threat of the death penalty, to stop burnt offerings and sacrifices and libations in the sanctuary, to abolish Sabbaths and holidays, to build pagan altars and offer pagan sacrifices there, to abolish circumcision and generally change all previous religious beliefs, laws, morals and customs of the fathers.
At this time, for the consolation of the Jewish people, the Lord raised up many firm confessors of faith in the true God, who, not wanting to renounce the laws of their fathers, chose to die rather than become defiled, and courageously endured martyrdom. Among them were the ninety-year-old elder Eleazar, the seven Maccabean brothers and their mother Solomonia.
The tormentors seduced Elder Eleazar with the opportunity to make a sacrifice, at least feignedly, and thereby save his life, but he, gray-haired and filled with piety, answered: “It is unworthy of my age to be a hypocrite in order to preserve the little life of my days...” - and then he was mercilessly tortured.
Likewise, the holy brothers of the Maccabees, confessing their faith and hope for a future resurrection, courageously, one after another, accepted martyrdom, strengthened by the hope that the Lord would revive them in the future life. After all of them, their blessed mother Solomonia gave up her spirit into the hands of God.
Dear brothers and sisters, with full consciousness of all the goodness and mercy of God to us, let us fall today to the Honorable Cross, this sign of our salvation, with true filial love we kiss the most pure feet of the Savior, calling upon Him: We worship Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify Your holy resurrection ! Amen.
Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov)
